Southern Illinois Association of Museums

Meeting Minutes October 25, 2004
Host Site: The University Museum (SIU), Carbondale

Present:

1. Guest Speaker: Kathy Surprenant

   Kathy Surprenant spoke about the internship program offered by the Master of Public Administration Program at SIUC. Questions should be directed to Kathy at ksurp@siu.edu or 618-453-3190.

2. SIU Museum Student Group

   Claire Reynolds, President of the Museum Student Group, explained the group's purpose and activities. Any museum needing assistance with events or programs can contact Claire at the University Museum at 618-453-5388.

3. Mark Your Calendar

   • National Heritage Area Meeting:
     November 30, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

     Shawnee Community College (Ullin)

   • Collection Management Workshop:
     March 19, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

     White County Historical Society (Carmi).
     A collection management workshop is scheduled for this day dealing with issues from registration methods to preservation techniques.

   • Developing Museum Quality Exhibits Workshop:
     Saturday, June 18, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

     University Museum, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale).

4. News from the Illinois Association of Museums

   Claudia Dant and Adrienne Barkley Giffin reported that the IAM Board will meet this week and a report will be given at SIAM's November meeting.

5. Marketing Committee Report

   Dona Bachman, marketing chair, reported that the marketing workshop was well-received.

6. Technical Assistance Committee Report

   Claudia requested suggestions for future round table discussions or speakers. Send suggestions to Claudia at ctdant@shawneelink.net or to Lori at curator@siu.edu or call 618-453-5388. A survey about the upcoming collection management workshop will be distributed at the November meeting.

7. Development Committee Report

   Jo Nast is organizing a development workshop of April at John A. Logan College. The group selected Saturday, April 23, 2005 as the date for the workshop. It will cover grant writing and fund raising.

8. Administrative Committee

   Adrienne Barkley Giffin, administrative chair, reported that the committee has started the process for obtaining 501(c)3 status. Lori Huffman was designated as the registered agent and the University Museum was designated the registered office where paperwork will be delivered. Officers were selected on a tentative basis in order to start the process: President, Lori Huffman; Vice President, Adrienne Barkley Giffin; Secretary, Cindy Birk Conley; Treasurer, Corene McDaniel. Official elections will take place when the by-laws are finalized. The committee's goal is to have the process completed by May 2005. The committee will begin writing SIAM's mission statement and by-laws. A survey was distributed about SIAM's mission statement.

9. Brochure Committee Report

   Dona and Pam reported that they will look into funding assistance from Southern Illinois Tourism. Members should begin filling in and returning the information form distributed at this meeting. Please return to Adrienne at or before the November meeting. Lori circulated a sample of the brochure she created on a temporary basis to be used at presentations.

10. Website Development

    Carla has developed a new look for the SIAM website. Send photographs of your museums for inclusion on the website to Carla Smith. Physical photographs should be mailed to:
    Carla Smith, University Museum, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4508
    Digital photographs 72 dpi and 6" wide OR 180 dpi and 4" wide should be sent in .jpg or .jpeg format to carlajs@siu.edu.
    
    Dates of exhibits and events should also be sent to Carla for inclusion on the SIAM calendar of events.

11. 2004 Meetings

    Monday, November 22, 2004:

    The Beatles Mini Museum (Benton) Tour at 4:00 and meet at 5:00.

12. 2005 Meetings:

    Tours begin at 4:00 and meetings begin at 5:00 p.m.

    • Monday, February 28, 2005:

      WOW Museum, Tamms

    • March:

      In lieu of a regular monthly meeting, a lunch meeting will be held during the collection management workshop if necessary.

    • April:

      In lieu of a regular monthly meeting, a lunch meeting will be held during the development workshop if necessary.

    • Monday, May 23:

      Wabash County Museum, Mt. Carmel

    • June:

      In lieu of a regular monthly meeting, a lunch meeting will be held during the exhibit workshop if necessary.

    • Monday, July 25:

      Jackson County Historical Society, Murphysboro

    • Monday, August 22:

      John A. Logan College Museum, Carterville

    • Monday, September 26:

      American Fluorite Museum, Rosiclare

    • Monday, October 24:

      The Science Center & African American Museum of Southern Illinois

    • Monday, November 28:

      White County Historical Society, Carmi

13. Homework Assignment for Next Meeting

    • Bring a copy of your organization's mission statement and by-laws.
    • Return completed museum information forms.
    • Return SIAM mission statement survey.
    • Bring brochures to share with others (10 packets of 15 each)

14. Announcement

    Claudia Dant requested Civil War items (authentic or reporduction) to borrow for an exhibit the Wabash County Museum is organizing for April 2005.